Simple rule change could help eliminate financial-aid fraud

Friday

Dec 27, 2013 at 12:00 PM

The issue: Students left to start over

Earlier this month, a grand jury charged the Carnegie Career College founders with conspiring to steal $2.3 million in federal student aid. The founders and a third defendant have denied the charges and are waiting their day in court.

According to the indictment reported in The Repository on Dec. 13, Carnegie recruited students who didn't have a high school diploma or GED by claiming those students could receive credentials while attending the college and receiving student aid. The school allegedly obtained fake diplomas from "online high schools." The fake diplomas allowed the owners to obtain more than $2 million dollars in student aid that federal authorities claim they spent on vacations, vehicles and property for themselves.

As this case winds its way through the courts, the students of this "school" are left trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. Many took out loans believing the education would help them get ahead. They believed they had found a school that understood the obstacles they faced without a degree or high school diploma, and teachers and

administrators that would help them advance by giving them a second chance. Instead of a degree that would open more employment doors, they have nothing but a stack of worthless papers — and large debts. Perhaps worse, they have lost years of their lives and will have to start over to get the education they need to succeed.

As we reported, many are committed to pursuing their degrees despite this latest obstacle, but others will give up. As one student said, "They used us, I feel used and abused."

Like all alleged scams, it's not just about losing money. It's an abuse of trust, and that's a hard lesson for people trying to build a better life for themselves and their families.

We urge the Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools to implement their proposed rule change that would bar schools from accepting diplomas from online or correspondence high schools unless the school: Is authorized to offer online or correspondence diplomas by the state they are located within; is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is authorized by the accrediting agency to issue high school diplomas; or is approved in writing by the state board.

This change is too late to help the Carnegie students, but it will deter others from taking advantage of people who want to improve their circumstances through continuing education.